The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) is organizing a six-week botanical expedition to the two largest islands in the Independent State of Samoa, Savai’i and ‘Upolu. The field work will focus on the goal of botanical exploration of poorly known and botanically diverse habitats on these islands and to document and provide data critical to interpreting patterns of plant diversity in this unique floristic area as part of the Flora of Samoa project being authored by Dr. W. Arthur Whistler, a NTBG Senior McBryde Research Fellow.

The trip is expected to take place in mid-2016 (between late May and mid-July) and last approximately six weeks. All travel, food and lodging expenses will be covered. The successful applicant must be able to undertake strenuous, hikes with loaded backpack under potentially adverse weather conditions, sometimes including multi-day hikes with remote camping.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to participate and learn many aspects of field techniques, identification of plant families and genera in Samoa, as well as collecting botanical specimens both for herbarium and for DNA repository, greatly extending the possible accomplishments of the expedition. This will provide critical hands-on experience for the student and also allow them to be part of a project which will result in the publication of an important book on the Samoan flora. Applicants should be a currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate student or post-doctoral student and possess a passport valid for a minimum of six (6) months after the intended date of departure from Samoa (mid-July 2016).

All applicants should submit the following:
1. A statement why the applicant would benefit from the experience (max. 1 page).
2. Specific project or taxonomic group in which they are interested, if any (max. 1 page).
3. Curriculum vitae including background and experience in botanical field work.
4. Names and email addresses of three references.

Please submit proposals by end of day, March 31. Proposals should be e-mailed to NTBG’s Director of Science and Conservation, Dr. David Lorence (lorence@ntbg.org) and copied to McBryde Chair, Dr. Warren L. Wagner (wagnerw@si.edu). Proposals will be evaluated and results announced in April 2016.